Umass Undefeated, Unfulfilled

On College Basketball

Maybe a couple of years ago, when the Massachusetts Minutemen still were growing accustomed to national prestige, an undefeated record and top ranking in late January might have mattered more.

Now, however, with four consecutive Atlantic 10 championships and an abundance of recognition, the objectives at UMass are much loftier.

With center Marcus Camby having received a clean bill of health following a frightening collapse 2 1/2 weeks ago, the Minutemen can return to their primary focus of winning a national championship.

An undefeated record and another conference title would be nice. But it wouldn't be enough. The success generated by coach John Calipari and his talented 'Men has changed the ideal in Amherst.

"Now, it's let's get the puzzle together and try to get it on five cylinders heading into the NCAA Tournament," Calipari said earlier this week.

Calipari eyes his bench and hopes some backups soon warrant more confidence and responsibility. He watches Camby and hopes the center eats healthier and sleeps restfully. He scans the schedule and hopes his team can reach its potential and approach its peak come mid-March.

"We've probably played 10 or 15 big games to this point," Calipari said, adding quickly that he considers the remaining games the toughest stretch yet.

He also talked about UMass basketball the way some talk about Duke or Carolina or UCLA basketball.

Playing hard, playing clean, fun, unselfish and always coming to play.

It's the UMass way.

When the Minutemen were ranked No. 1 last season, it was a big deal in Massachusetts. That has changed this season. Calipari said the team and its fans remain focused on the ultimate goal.

"We're trying to put the weight of the high ranking on the other team, to try and make it as hard for them as we can," he said.

So far this season, the Minutemen have succeeded in making it difficult for all opponents.

Wake Forest, Kentucky, Maryland, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida, Southern California, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Memphis and Pittsburgh all have fallen. Next up is Temple (also undefeated in the A-10) on Thursday night in Philadelphia, followed by meetings with Xavier, Temple (again), Virginia Tech, Rhode Island, George Washington and Louisville.

Calipari said he isn't surprised the Minutemen are 18-0, but he is surprised no one has put together a great game to beat them. It still could happen. Even if it does, he hopes the loss comes before the season becomes a one-loss-and-out dance.

"Our goal is to win the national title," Calipari said. "If all that other stuff happens along the way, that's great. ... We're trying to play it out to win it all. Not to go undefeated."

State women on rise

Last week, I mentioned the less-than-impressive conference records of the Division I men's teams in Florida.

This week, a look at the women, who, compared to their counterparts, have fared a bit better.

Only four of the women's teams started the week with winning conference records, but only an unforgiving eye would not consider the Lady Gators a success. Florida is 3-4 in the SEC with losses to Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Tennessee, all in the Top 5, and at then-22nd-ranked Auburn.

Meanwhile, Florida State has struggled with an 0-9 record in the ACC. Others below .500 in their respective conferences include South Florida (1-6 in Conference USA), FAU (2-5 in the TAAC), Miami (4-6 in the Big East) and Bethune-Cookman (1-8 in the MEAC).

Then there's Jacksonville, which began last week as the only state men's team with a winning conference record. Alas, the Dolphins don't have a women's team, so "we have not been defeated since 1934," spokesman Richard Paige said. Caution for Camby

Calipari said he is comfortable with Camby's condition since the center was released from the hospital after fainting Jan. 14 before a game at St. Bonaventure. "The only thing I'm going to keep an eye on is that he takes care of his body," Calipari said. "I told him, `Your body is going to make you $100 million. Take care of it.'''